The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-09

Habit That Can Not Ne Hidden-Whh~
ny Drinking Net sign OF br~aess
but q Mark OF Mental weakness.

Drinking Nos - elHu " 1Sf.ss-~Fr
but q Mark OF Mental weakness.
OF drunkenness as moral and ply
steal crime nothing new can be saids
but some Of the phenomena OF psy-
Geological and social nature have re-
ceived but slight attention from pro"
fessional advocates of temperance.
One Of these is the delusion cherished
by the young man who Is just entering
upon downward career that no one
among his respectable acquaintance 10
aware of his indulgence in intoxicants.
Regardless of the fact that he himself
can instantly detect the signs OF such
weakness in others, and can not be de-
ceived, he goes on his way feeling sure
that he effectually conceals all traces
of his own intemperance from those
whom he would prefer to keep in igno-
rance. The aged and experienced
topper realizes that concealment OF this
sort is impossible, and frankly ac-
knowledges his condition, while the
younger brother fatters himself. even
in his sober moments, that his secret Is
safe.
Another popularity, or. perhaps, 1t
should be called another phase Of the
first. is the drinkers failure to compre-
bend that he makes nuisance OF him.
self when he inflicts his society upon
decent people. In the drunkard OF
long standing u disregard OF the feel
ing and comfort of others Is the natur-
al result of the selfishness inevitably
engendercd by whisky; but In tho less
hardened and hopeless sinner certain
pride and self-respect exists ana
fingers long, and the gentlemanly dis
position 10 be agreeable manifests it
self in every particular but this.
Knowing how unfit for companionship
are other men who have been drinking
.'moderately"-t all drink moder-
ately-and having still the instinct to
please, he, nevertheless. enters public
conveyances, frequents public gather
ings, and thrusts himself amongst his
friends in serene unconsciousness, APP
parently, that his presence is an of
tense. 1t would be interesting to know
on what theory this delusion is based.
Far better would it be for himself and
for those forced to associate with him
il this self-deception were destroyed
early in his career, and that he were
taught before the knowledge came too
late that where whisky is used as
beverage the fact can never be hidden.
II requires no very keen perception
to detect the man who is addicted even
to an occasional glass as u necessary
stimulant." If there were no other
betrayal of the indulgence the fumes
of his breath is quite sufficient, very
small portion of alcoholic liquor being
enough to render the partaker obnox-
ious to those of fastidious taste. AS to
the moderate drinker." his breath is
like that of pestilence and he is liter
ally stencil to the nostrils. This
statement is one that he may not rel
ish; but facts are facts, and it Is some
times well to put them in plain lam
guage.
There are other signs, however,
equally impossib lie to disguise, and the
chief among them is the absolute ina
bility of the drinker to refrain from
making fool of himself. He may not
be so far under the influence of his
favorite beverage as to be what is COM
monty called drunk" but under very
moderate degree of stimulation" he
departs from the usual tenor of his
way to be witty or wise, and calls at
tention to himself by his dismal failure
to accomplish his aim.
In addition to the knowledge that
his presence among refined people is
not desirable for the reasons named,
the young man who "takes drink
when he feels like it," should be made
to understand that he is regarded not
with the federation and maudlin pity
that once followed such good fell
lows" but with contempt that has
few notifications. The drinking of
whisky has ceased to be accepted as n
sign Of brilliancy, but, is held, rather,
to be mark of mental weakness; the
drunkard is no longer an erratic gem
ius. but disgusting creature. even in
the early stages of his course, and the
more distinctly he realizes this truth
L.. Lat